Exercise apparatus for permitting a user to build muscle strength in an ergonomic fashion

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus for permitting a user to build muscle strength in an ergonomic fashion comprising a weighted body with a first and second opposing faces with a handle attached to the body in a manner that permits the user to grip the apparatus during use without having to grip the body directly, and the first face comprises an ergonomic generally concave surface configured to more closely conform to the user&#39;s forearm profile when the apparatus is gripped by the user in a manner such that the body comes in contact with the user&#39;s forearm. Alternate embodiment incorporates a second face comprising an ergonomic generally concave surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The exercise apparatus herein for permitting a user to build muscle strength in an ergonomic fashion herein is a kettlebell which is used for weight training in physical fitness activities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The kettle bell or girya (Russian: rnpR) is a cast iron weight looking somewhat like a cannonball with a handle. The kettlebell first appears in a 1704 Russian Dictionary (Cherkikh, 1994). Originally, kettlebells were counter-weights used in Russian markets. Russian country folk started throwing them around and eventually they became very popular in Russia as a training tool. In 1913 the Russian magazine Hercules reported “Not a single sport develops our muscular strength and bodies as well as kettlebell athletics.”

In the recent history of the kettlebell has become increasingly popular within the United States thanks to a man named Pavel Tsatsouline. Tsatsouline is a fitness author who used to be a trainer for not only the United States armed forces but the Soviet Union forces as well. Once the United States noticed that they could not endure as long as their Russian counterparts within competitions, they began incorporating the kettlebell into their training routines. In 1985 a committee for the sport of kettlebell lifting was created, and the first National Championship for Kettlebells was held in Russia in 1985 with its own set of rules and standards. Today, the kettlebell is being introduced into the fitness routines of the everyday man, as their benefits have proven them to be one of the most useful tools for building strength.

Many companies produce their own brands of kettlebells and kettlebell exercise programs. Some modern kettlebells feature adjustable weights or are rubber coated to improve safety for floors. Kettlebells range in size from 5 lbs to 175 lbs, the traditional Russian kettlebell is usually one weight which weighs 1 Pood (roughly 16 kg/35 lbs).

Unlike traditional dumbbells, the kettlebell's center of mass is extended beyond the hand, similar to a Clubbell's. This allows for swing movements not possible with traditional dumbbells. Because more muscle groups are utilized in the swinging and movement of a kettlebell than during the lifting of dumbbells, a kettlebell workout is said to be more effective, and yields better results in less time. The existence of a handle allows for “release and catch moves” which are not available with a dumbbell. A “release and catch move” is either the transitioning of the kettlebell from one hand to other hand, or the releasing of the kettlebell and catching it with the same hand.

As a result of the common cannon ball shape of kettle bells, the weight of the bell is unduly concentrated at a single point on the user's forearm or wrist when the kettle bell in the user's hand is raised to a generally vertical position with the bell resting on the user's carpal bones (wrist) or radius and ulna (forearm). This common complaint can result in bone bruising as well as dermal edemas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Conventional kettle bells generally resemble a cannon ball with a handle attached thereto. When lifted vertically by the user, the generally sphere shape bell of the conventional kettle bell uncomfortably rests on the user's forearm and/or wrist with the weight concentrated at a single location. In contrast, the kettlebell disclosed herein accommodates the user's forearm and wrist when the kettle bell is lifted generally vertical by the user which causes the body and weight of the kettle bell to rest along the user's forearm. This accommodation spreads the weight of the bell along a greater surface area in lieu of a concentration of weight at a distinct localized point on the user's wrist and forearm when the weight is lifted generally vertically resulting in the bell resting against the user's forearm and/or wrist. In sum, the accommodation creates a more pain free work out and reduces bone and dermal bruising by spreading the bell weight over a greater area of the user's wrist and forearm.

The angle of the opposing concave faces permits the user to grasp the bell along its vertical sides in lieu of using the handle at the top of the bell to perform additional exercises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and further objects, characteristic features, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly with reference to the following diagrammatic drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view a first embodiment of the apparatus with a concave face.

FIG. 2. is a front view the first embodiment of the apparatus with a concave first face.

FIG. 3. is a lateral view of a second embodiment with a concave first and second face.

FIG. 4. is a top view of the second embodiment with a concave first and second face.

FIG. 5. is a bottom view of the second embodiment with a concave first and second face.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus in use and resting against the user's forearm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, an embodiment of the apparatus provides a kettle bell 5 with a face to comfortably accommodate a user's forearm when the kettle bell is lifted generally vertically resulting in the face of the kettle bell resting against the user's forearm as depicted in FIG. 6. The apparatus 5 comprises a body 15 and a handle 10. The body 15 comprises a top 30, a bottom 35, and at least two faces 20, 25.

The handle 10 is attached to the top 30 of the body 15 to accommodate the user's hand and permit use of the kettle bell in swinging and “release and catch” exercises. The handle is rigid and fixed in relation to the body. The handle 10 is either a generally an inverted triangle shape with a single point of attachment or generally a loop shape with at least two points of attachment to the body as depicted in FIGS. 1-5. The aperture created within the handle permits the user to freely release and capture the kettlebell using the handle. The handle may be completely integrated with the body either through the casting or molding process. In the alternative, the handle may be a separate unit fastened to the body.

The first face 20 and the second face 25 oppose each other and are in generally parallel alignment with the handle 10 to permit the kettle bell to hang down from the user's hand when held in a semi-vertical position allowing the face to rest against the user's forearm. At least one of the faces comprises a vertical concave depression 40 to accommodate the user's forearm therein. The concave depression 40 of the face is generally parallel with the handle 15 to permit a user's forearm to rest therein allowing the weight to be equally distributed along the length of the kettle bell and against the user's forearm when said kettle bell is held by the user in semi-upright position with the concave face is resting against said user's forearm.

An alternate embodiment of the apparatus incorporates a second vertical concave depression 40 within the second face 25 generally parallel with the handle to permit a user's forearm to rest within the concave shape when said kettle bell is held by the user in an upright position with said second face 25 resting against the user's forearm. The existence of opposing concave faces permits the user to grasp the bell along its vertical sides in lieu of using the handle at the top of the bell to perform additional exercises.

The shapes of the apparatus' body 15 are unlimited. The body may be a parallelogram, a truncated pyramid, a pentagonal prism, or take the shape of generally circular cross-sectional form.

To protect the apparatus from chips and the floors of the gym or the user's home, the kettle bell may be coated in protective material 45 such as rubber, foam, or other like material.

Further minor modifications can be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the same as defined in the appended claims. 

1. An exercise apparatus for permitting a user to build muscle strength in an ergonomic fashion, the apparatus comprising: a weighted body with a first and second opposing faces; a handle attached to the body in a manner that permits the user to grip the apparatus during use without having to grip the body directly and which permits “catch and release” exercises by a user; wherein the first face comprising an ergonomic generally concave surface configured to more closely conform to the user's forearm profile when the apparatus is gripped by the user in a manner such that the body comes in contact with the user's forearm.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second face also comprises an ergonomic generally concave surface.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the body comprises a generally geometric shape.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a kettle bell.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle is attached to the body at a single point.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle is attached to the body at a plurality of points.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is coated with a resilient layer of material designed to soften the force of contact with the user during use.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is concave beneath the handle to assist the user with “catch and release” exercises. 